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Manufactured Uncertainty: Implications for Climate Change Skepticism

José Martí

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Published in Lorraine Code

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Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. The scientific consensus is clear: human activity is the primary cause of climate change, and the consequences of inaction are dire. However, there remains a significant amount of skepticism about climate change, and this skepticism is often fueled by manufactured uncertainty.

Manufactured Uncertainty: Implications for Climate Change Skepticism

by Lorraine Code

4.3 out of 5

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Manufactured uncertainty is a deliberate strategy to undermine the scientific consensus on climate change and cast doubt on the need for action. It is often funded by corporate interests with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, such as the fossil fuel industry.

Origins of Manufactured Uncertainty

The origins of manufactured uncertainty can be traced back to the 1990s, when the tobacco industry began funding climate change research in an effort to sow doubt about the link between smoking and lung cancer.

In the early 2000s, the fossil fuel industry adopted similar tactics, funding climate change research that downplayed the risks of climate change and exaggerated the uncertainties.

Tactics of Manufactured Uncertainty

The tactics of manufactured uncertainty include:

Cherry-picking data: Selecting only the data that supports a predetermined , while ignoring or downplaying data that contradicts that .
Exaggerating uncertainties: Stating that the uncertainties in climate science are greater than they actually are, in Free Download to cast doubt on the scientific consensus.
Misrepresenting scientific findings: Twisting or misinterpreting scientific findings to make them appear more uncertain than they actually are.
Attacking scientists: Questioning the motives and integrity of scientists who support the scientific consensus on climate change.

Consequences of Manufactured Uncertainty

Manufactured uncertainty has a number of negative consequences, including:

It delays action on climate change: By casting doubt on the need for action, manufactured uncertainty creates a false sense of complacency and makes it easier for policymakers to postpone taking action on climate change.
It erodes public trust in science: By attacking the credibility of scientists and misrepresenting scientific findings, manufactured uncertainty undermines public trust in science and makes it more difficult for the public to make informed decisions about climate change.
It creates a barrier to consensus: By exaggerating uncertainties and sowing doubt, manufactured uncertainty makes it more difficult for policymakers to reach consensus on the need for action on climate change.

Overcoming Manufactured Uncertainty

Manufactured uncertainty is a serious threat to our ability to address climate change. However, there are a number of steps that can be taken to overcome manufactured uncertainty and build public support for action on climate change.

These steps include:

Educating the public about climate science: The public needs to be aware of the scientific consensus on climate change and the tactics of manufactured uncertainty.
Demanding transparency and accountability: Corporations and organizations that engage in manufactured uncertainty should be held accountable for their actions.
Supporting scientists who speak out against manufactured uncertainty: Scientists who are willing to speak out against manufactured uncertainty should be supported and their work should be amplified.

Manufactured uncertainty is a serious threat to our ability to address climate change. However, by educating the public, demanding transparency and accountability, and supporting scientists who speak out against manufactured uncertainty, we can overcome this threat and build public support for action on climate change.

Manufactured Uncertainty: Implications for Climate Change Skepticism

by Lorraine Code

4.3 out of 5